Today's News

With cold weather having firmly settled in, inshore anglers are finding the going pretty tough. Unless, of course, they happen to be out looking for black drum, which are around in force and are likely to be the best thing happening until spring arrives.

Black drum are decent fighters and good to eat, and they hit in local waters virtually year-round. Tolerant to extremes in temperature, even the coldest water doesn’t put them off the bite, which is why they are a popular fish in the winter.

SHALLOTTE—Town aldermen are attempting to arm this year’s budget against the recession by making it easier to reduce spending.

At the recommendation of the N.C. League of Municipalities, the town has moved 8 percent of its budget, nearly $550,000, to a reserve fund in case of a revenue shortfall.

According to a memo from the league’s Web site, “The League advises municipal officials to consider reducing expenditures for the current fiscal year in the expectation of lower consumption-based revenues” to keep up with the economic downturn.

SHALLOTTE—A Sunset Beach teenager has been charged in last week’s wreck involving an ambulance at the corner of Mulberry and White streets in Shallotte.

Milton D. Gore, 17, of 40 Frink Way SW in Sunset Beach, was charged with failure to see before turning.

SUPPLY—Only a handful of community members were in attendance last Thursday afternoon at a public meeting soliciting input for the county’s comprehensive master plan, but organizers say turnout for the meetings has been strong throughout the county.

Jim Pryor, the county’s parks and recreation director, recently solicited Nashville-based Lose and Associates to complete a comprehensive master plan for the county’s parks and recreation facilities.